Gregory S. Berns
Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory
University
and Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology
Ph.D. University of California, Davis, 1990
M.D. University of California, San Diego, 1994
Research Interests
Our lab studies the relationship of neural systems to decision-making by using a combination of computational and functional imaging techniques. The approach is called Neuroeconomics. We are particularly interested in the role of the basal ganglia in processing novelty and reward and how this regions guides decision-making.
Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging
We use functional imaging techniques, such as fMRI, to probe the function of specific cortico-striatal circuits that we think are involved in motivation. By designing behavioral tasks that manipulate the relative novelty and uncertainty of the information being presented, we are able to probe these circuits in a targeted manner. By using subtle manipulations in the behavioral task, subjects are frequently unaware of their presence, and we are able to measure subconscious brain processes. The circuits that respond to subconscious information changes are also those circuits most commonly implicated in mood and substance use disorders.
Computer Modeling
As a complement to the imaging, we are developing computer models that link the measured circuit response to behavior. Using neural networks, we model the same tasks that our subjects perform in the scanner. This allows us to test hypotheses regarding circuit function as well as generating new experiments. We are also interested in the development of advanced statistical techniques for the analysis of functional imaging data.
Neuroeconomics
Finally, we are interested in neuroeconomics, a new field in which we are using imaging techniques to uncover the neural basis for many different types of human interactions and decision-making (e.g. social, economic).
Satisfaction
Check out my book, SATISFACTION: The Science of Finding True Fulfillment (Henry Holt & Co., 2005).
For a collection of reviews and related media, click here (this is a 10 MB pdf).
Recent Publications (click here for full online list)
- Montague PR and Berns GS: Neural economics and the biological substrates of valuation. Neuron 36:265-284, 2002. PDF (751 kB).
- McClure SM, Berns GS, Montague PR: Temporal prediction errors in a passive learning task activate human striatum. Neuron 38:339-346, 2003. PDF (333 kB).
- Zink CF, Pagnoni G, Martin ME, Dhamala M, Berns GS: Human striatal response to salient nonrewarding stimuli. J. Neurosci. 23:8092-8097, 2003. PDF (163 kB). Accompanying editorial (54 kB).
- Berns GS: Something funny happened to reward. Trends Cogn. Sci. 8:193-194, 2004. PDF (295 kB).
- Zink CF, Pagnoni G, Martin-Skurski ME, Chappelow JC, Berns GS: Human striatal response to monetary reward depends on saliency. Neuron 42:509-517, 2004. PDF (298 kB).
- Berns GS, Chappelow J, Zink CF, Pagnoni G, Martin-Skurski ME, Richards J: Neurobiological correlates of social conformity and independence during mental rotation. Biol Psychiatry 58:245-253, 2005. PDF (452 kB).
- Zink CF, Pagnoni G, Chappelow J, Martin-Skurski M, Berns GS: Human striatal activation reflects degree of stimulus saliency. Neuroimage 29:977-983, 2006. PDF (223 kB).
- Berns GS: Price, placebo, and the brain. J. Marketing Res. XLII:399-400, 2005. PDF (35 kB).
- Berns GS, Chappelow J, Cekic M, Zink CF, Pagnoni G, Martin-Skurski ME: Neurobiological substrates of dread. Science 312:754-758, 2006. PDF (229 kB). Supporting Materials (623 kB).
- Berns GS, Capra CM, Noussair C: Receptor theory and biological constraints on value. Annals NY Acad Sci 1104:301-309, 2007. PDF.
- Chandrasekhar PVS, Capra CM, Moore S, Noussair C, Berns GS: Neurobiological regret and rejoice functions for aversive outcomes. Neuroimage epub, 2007. PDF.
- Berns GS, Capra CM, Chappelow J, Moore S, Noussair C: Nonlinear neurobiological probability weighting functions for aversive outcomes. Neuroimage epub, 2007. PDF.
- Berns GS, Laibson D, Loewenstein G: Intertemporal choice -- toward an integrated framework , Trends Cogn. Sci., 11:482-488, 2007. PDF.
